Pets are family! If they’re staying in your home, sweet home, you want them to be as comfortable as possible without compromising the look and overall feel of your home. We get it, and we know that both needs are an absolute must.
That’s where we step in to help you find some of the best floors possible for you and your pet. From the durability elements to the various styles available, we’ve narrowed down what to look for and how each option will best benefit you.
Read on to find your new home renovation must-have!
These are the Benefits of Durable Floors
Before getting into the depths of which floors are great for your pets, let’s first read into how the strength of certain floors will truly benefit you. Follow along with the info below!
- The right floors enhance the look of your home.
- Durability increases the value of a home.
- Homeowners seek out strength and durability in homes.
- There are so many styles and decorating possibilities.
- Long-lasting floors are a solid investment and cost-effective.
- Floors generally have the option to be refinished if needed to keep up the strength.
There are quite a few benefits to having strong, durable floors in a household. The increased need for practicality without compromising style instantly upgrades the value of a home as well as protecting the needs of an active lifestyle.
What Is the Best Flooring for Pets?
Now that we know other key reasons for having strong floors in your home or even your business, let’s discover what floors are officially the best option for you and all members of your family.
The following options have been proven and known to be great candidates for a home with a pet-friendly lifestyle.
- Wood Plastic Composite
- Hardwood
- Luxury vinyl
- Bamboo
- Cork
- Laminate
- Stone and tile
- Linoleum
All of the above not only share great strength in common, but they also all have their own unique strength. Each one has the ability to transform a space in its own unique way.
Wood Plastic Composite
This specific type of flooring is guaranteed to be waterproof, and you wouldn’t want it any other way! When it comes to kitchens and bathrooms especially, water will much more likely hit the floor, and you want to be worry-free when it happens.
Since it’s also long-lasting, you don’t have to fret about parting with your floors too soon. The planks are sufficiently thick and dense, so they can weather through several years of wear. WPC flooring is also available in varying levels of thickness for a wear layer, so it provides resistance to scratching and scarring.
This is the perfect feature for an area of the home that has high foot traffic or for a commercial business.
Hardwood
While it’s known that hardwood ranges in durability and strength based upon species, we have a whole list of some of the strongest and most reliable woods that exist today. Take a look and see if any of the names resonate with you.
- Cebil
- Katalox/Wamara
- Black ironwood
- African blackwood
- Camelthorn
- Verawood
- Snakewood
- Gidgee
- Lignum Vitae
- Quebracho
All unique and interesting, any of these hardwood options would be a treat to add to your home. With some being more expensive than others, though, it’s important to note which ones will fit perfectly within your budget range as well.
Luxury Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is a great option for pet-friendly households. You won’t have to worry about your pet scratching up your floors or spilling its water bowl all over the place. Best of all, LVP flooring can be installed anywhere in the home for exactly these reasons alone.
The reason for its strength? Arguably the most important layer in the makeup of vinyl, the outer sealant coat is made to protect the floor in its entirety and reduce the risk of damage to the flooring. There is a substantial amount of polyurethane added into the coat in order to give the wood a lustrous look, so it won’t compromise style.
Bamboo
Believe it or not, quality bamboo is actually as durable as regular hardwood flooring. And if the bamboo is finished correctly, it can be cleaned super easily with only a bit of soap and a mop for the times your pet may have an accident (or frequent shedding) inside the house.
It also offers a clean, modern vibe for those who prefer a minimalistic style.
Bamboo is easy to source due to the fact that it’s a plant that can grow super quickly.
However, it’s important to take the below factors into consideration.
- Bamboo is known to be relatively expensive when compared to other materials.
- The harvest of bamboo may vary in overall quality.
- Bamboo may be susceptible to scratches to overly active and big pets (certain bamboos are stronger than others).
- This type of flooring won’t do well in moisture.
Cork
You may not believe how durable this flooring is from the sole fact that it’s so soft under your feet. In fact, you may not believe that it can withstand the strength of your pet! What really matters for this type of flooring to make sure it is sealed with a strong top coat. The added layer of protection and shine is you need to keep wear and tear super minimal.
People with joint issues or who experience pain while standing for long periods of time would be wise to consider cork flooring due to its soft and supportive nature.
If you require environmentally friendly with a good mix of durability too, then cork may really just be your perfect pick.
Here are a few extra pieces of information to consider.
- Lighter shades of the flooring will handle scratches better.
- Heavy furniture can cause dents.
- Sunlight can cause discoloration over time.
- Cork does not do well in environments with moisture.
Laminate
With a resin coating and a strong external layer, this is a flooring option that really is meant to protect the look and quality of the floors. This coating and layer also allows for the floor to be resistant to scratches and any heavy impact items.
It also happens to last longer than other flooring materials such as carpet, vinyl, or hardwood.
Did you know that there are actually a ton of laminate flooring manufacturers that offer nice warranty protection against any moisture damage, fading, or stains? Not only that, but the laminate flooring itself is resistant to all three.
Stone and Tile
Stone and tile are an extremely durable option that’s perfect for families who may have bigger pets, such as a large dog. However, what might shock you is that not all stone is as durable as you might think. It’s only certain types. So, it’s important to note which stones might be on the softer side of things.
Non-porous stones are known to have the most strength, which means examples like slate or granite fall under these categories. Decorating with granite alone is a wonderful experience too! There’s a notorious amount of color and cool patterns that are one of a kind, so it can really give a home character.
What’s also so great about stone is that it doesn’t stain as easily as other flooring choices. So if your pet has their water bowl or food topple over, it’s certainly nothing to fear. A mop and mild soapares all you need to clean the mess right up!
Linoleum
Don’t think of vinyl when you think of linoleum. Linoleum lost its spotlight when vinyl entered the picture and achieved popularity in the 1940s.
However, the two are opposite of each other, especially since vinyl is known to consist of more chemicals from production. Similar to cork, linoleum is much healthier, fire retardant, and water-resistant. So if this is a floor that is safe from a fire, it will most definitely have the strength to withstand your pets.
This is a product that’s known for having a long life and is capable of lasting through a ton of wear and tear.
Floors for Your Furry Friend
A pet of any kind is a special part of your life. It’s vital for you and them to have a home that can be both enjoyed and protected so that the living space is never at risk of wearing or becoming damaged.
Each of the flooring options discussed are not only great options, but they also offer a ton of versatility in the design department, so there’s a choice for everyone!
Sources:
6 Best Pet-Friendly Flooring Options for Your Dogs & Cats
